Headlight



Dec. 7 1926.

WJDA. RYAN HEADLIGHT Filed Sept. 2.

1924 2 Sheets-Sheet l w m m 0 Lb n t e A 2696 i w & w

Dec. 7 1926.

W. DA. RYAN HEADLIGHT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2- Filed Sept. 2, 1924 Inventcz; [WM/j j 1-115 Attorneg- Patented Dec. 7, 1926.

PATENT OFFICE.

WALTER manor RYAN, or SCHENECTADI, new Yonk.

HEADLIGHT.

Application filed September 2, 1924. Serial No. 735,408.

My invention relates to improvements in headlights, and is particularly concerned with headlights adapted for automoblles and other automotive vehicles. The objects of my invention are:

First, to provide means for enabling the operator, or any other person unskilled in the art of illumination, and particularly unskilled in the art of headlight illumination, pro erly to adjust the tilt of the headlight re ector so as to minimize the glare, and at the same time insure proper illumination of the roadway. Second, to provide a headlight with indieating means, preferably adjusted in the factory, so that it will be possible for any one easily and quickly to return the parts of the headlight to their'proper positions without any specific instructions or knowledge of illumination.

Third, to provide means of the character described'that can be adjusted as easily in the day time as at night; and

Fourth, to provide a headlight of the character described that is simple in construction and economical to manufacture.

Other objects of my invention will appear as this descri tion progresses, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,

H in which- Figure -l is a central, vertical section through one embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is a horizontal section, showing in plan the indicating Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1,

showing a modified form of my invention;

Figure 4 is a rear elevation of the con struction' shown in Figure 3; and

Figure 5 is a sectional detail, showing another form of my invention. Referring to the drawings, and for the time being to Figures 1 and 2, the embodiment of my invention illustrated therein comprises a housing 2, a reflector 3 and a source of light 4 that is held in the socket ,5, the socket being fixed with respect to the reflector. The reflector may be suitably pivoted in the housing to turn about a hOIlzontal axis, or maybe hinged to the bottom of the axis, as may be desired. This construction is common to headlights of the character described and is not illustrated in device disclosed in detail. At the top I provide'an adjustment screw 6 that is in threaded engagement with the reflector for tilting the latter.

To enable the operator, or any other person, properly to adjust the reflector, I provide a level 7 of the air bubble type that may be secured in any suitable manner to the socket. A mark may be placed upon the level casing to indicate the center of the air bubble when the reflector is tilted to the proper point. If the headlight as a whole is to be tilted the level may be mounted upon the outside of the housing.

In that form of my invention disclosed in Figures 3 and 4, the housing 8 is provided with a transparent insert 9, having the scale 10 engraved therein, through which may be observed the end of an index pointer 11, secured to the reflector 12 or to the butt end of the socket 13. This socket holds the electric lamp 14. Otherwise the headlight shown in this construction may be identical with that disclosed in Figures 1 and 2. In making use of the embodiment of my invention just described, the operator merely adjusts the screw 6 until the pointer 11 indicates a predetermined line on the insert 9.

In that form of my invention disclosed in Figure 5, I have substituted for the level a pendulum 15 and a scale 16 that comprises a predetermined mark indicating the correct adjustment of the reflector.

With apparatus of the character described, after the headlight has once been adjusted by someone familiar with the proper methods of adjusting such headlights, and the proper indicia has been placed upon the various indicating means, any one having no knowledge whatever of illumination can easily return the elements to their proper positions in the event they become jarred or otherwise displaced therefrom.

\Vhile I have described the details of construction of my invention, it is to be clearly understood that my invention is not limited to these details, but is capable of other adaptations and modifications within the sage of the appended claims.

aving thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a headlight, means comprising a reflector for producing a light beam, means for tilting the reflector and a level for gauging the tilt of the beam with respect to the roadbed of the vehicle, said level being positioned where it is illuminated by the li ht reflected from said reflector.

2. 1% headlight comprising a housing, a reflector pivotally mounted in said housing, and indicating means carried wholly by the reflector for indicating the extent to which the reflector is tilted, said indicating means bein positioned Where it is illuminated by the hght reflected from said reflector.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 5th day of August, 1924.

WALTERv DARCY RYAN. 

